Dean's Weekly Message
November 2, 2026
The measure of an academic medical campus isn't just the discoveries we make or the recognition we receive, but the difference our work makes in people's lives. This week, we see that impact through meaningful improvements in patient safety by UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and innovative efforts to improve the lives of children and families at Children's Hospital Colorado.
We're also taking a step forward in recognizing the time and expertise our faculty devote to our educational mission across CU. Each of these highlights offers a different perspective on what it means to build a stronger School of Medicine, where better patient outcomes, meaningful research, and investment in our faculty are the foundation of our Top 10 in 10 vision.
Celebrating Excellence in Quality and Patient Safety
Our partners at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital closed fiscal year 2026 with outstanding advancements in quality and patient safety. For the fourth consecutive year, UCHA earned a five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a distinction achieved by only 12% of hospitals nationwide. UCHA also ranked in the 79th percentile among comprehensive academic medical centers in Vizient's Quality and Accountability rankings, its best performance in eight years.
Behind these rankings are meaningful improvements in patient care. In 2026, all Vizient Quality and Accountability service lines performed in the top 50th percentile or better compared to peers for mortality index. That equates to 414 lives saved (when considering predicted mortality), 77 fewer severe pressure injuries, and 74 fewer fall-related injuries compared with the previous year. UCHA also reported zero central line-associated bloodstream infections in the final quarter of fiscal year 2026.
These achievements reflect the extraordinary dedication of our School of Medicine faculty, clinical teams, and UCHealth colleagues in providing the safest, highest-quality care for our patients. Congratulations to all who contributed to these exceptional results!
Additional Compensation for Teaching
In response to input from the Faculty Senate, we are moving forward with a process that will allow eligible faculty to receive additional compensation for certain teaching activities outside the School of Medicine. This includes substantial teaching commitments elsewhere within the CU system, such as course direction in other schools or colleges, that require significant additional time beyond a faculty member’s normal workload and are in addition to their regular responsibilities.
Additional compensation will require advance approval from departmental and school leadership and must not interfere with existing responsibilities. Teaching remains an integral part of our faculty members’ academic roles, and only select activities will qualify for additional compensation. Guidance on eligibility and the approval process will be forthcoming. Retroactive payments will not be possible.
I want to thank the Faculty Senate for bringing this concern forward and Miriam Post, MD, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, for working with school leadership to develop a solution that better recognizes the time and expertise our faculty contribute to our educational mission within and beyond the School of Medicine.
Children's Hospital Colorado Joins $52 Million National Study of Childhood Respiratory Infections
Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO) will serve as one of 10 enrollment sites for a major national study examining why some young children recover fully from viral respiratory infections while others develop severe illness or long-term complications, including asthma. Led by the University of Michigan and supported by up to $52 million in NIH funding, the study will follow 1,500 children to identify biological and environmental factors that influence respiratory health.
Tellen Bennett, MD, Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Informatics in the Department of Biomedical Informatics, will co-lead the study's Data and Analysis Coordinating Center in collaboration with the University of Utah. The research will integrate clinical data, advanced molecular analyses, and AI to improve our ability to identify children at risk and develop more effective approaches to prevention and treatment.
This collaboration underscores the important role of CHCO and our faculty in advancing pediatric research with the potential to improve care for children nationwide.
Children's Hospital Colorado and Gates Institute Honored for Epidermolysis Bullosa Research
The Children’s Hospital Colorado Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Program and the CU Anschutz Gates Center Research Program have been awarded the 2026 EB Research Partnership Innovation and Impact Award. The EB Research Partnership is the global patient advocacy organization founded by Jill and Eddie Vedder dedicated to finding the cure for EB. This is a tremendous recognition of the innovative work that CU Anschutz has enabled though the longstanding support of the EB clinic.
James Feinstein, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Director, Children’s Hospital Colorado EB Program, and Ganna (Anya) Bilousova, PhD, Associate Professor of Dermatology and core faculty member of the Gates Institute, will accept the award next month at the Venture Into Cures event, which brings together more than 500 patients and families, clinicians, researchers, industry partners, philanthropists, musicians, artists, and advocates from around the world.
CU Medicine Member Vote Reminder
CU Medicine members are reminded to cast their ballots for the election of Directors-at-Large and a proposed amendment to the CU Medicine bylaws regarding board composition. Electronic ballots were distributed October 30, and voting closes November 13, provided a quorum is reached. I encourage all eligible members to participate.
Dean's Distinguished Speaker
Amy J. Bastian, PhD, PT, Chief Science Officer and Director of the Center for Movement Studies at Kennedy Krieger Institute and Professor of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, will deliver the next Dean’s Distinguished Seminar lecture at 3 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, in Hensel Phelps West Auditorium.
Dr. Bastian's research focuses on how the brain controls movement and adapts through learning, with important implications for neurological rehabilitation. The lecture title will be announced soon.
The Dean’s Distinguished Seminar Series brings notable scholars to campus to discuss their work. All are invited. Learn more and register on the Dean’s Distinguished Seminar Series site.
Featured News
‘He’s a Gift’: CU Anschutz Patient Donates Part of His Liver to a Young Stranger
The Living Donor Liver Transplantation Program at CU Anschutz is among the best in the country. Led by Whitney Jackson, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, the rate of people who receive a liver within their first year on the waitlist is 71%, higher than the national average of 56%.
This week, the Department of Medicine newsroom chronicles the story of one living donor who helped make a critical difference in a child’s life by donating 26% of his liver. Bobby Click first learned about the possibility of becoming a living donor through his wife, who works in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
“I remember mentioning to him how amazing it was that we have a robust living donor program. I said, ‘Who knew you could donate a piece of your liver?’” Kristie Click recalls. “I didn’t realize he would feel a personal calling to start researching it.”
Read More
Featured Events
11/7
City Park Classic
Saturday, November 7, 9 a.m.
City Park
Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research hosts the City Park Classic 5k, 10k, and 1-mile run/walk of hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research. The event highlights that November is Worldwide Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month.
11/10
Faculty Development Workshop: Teaching Methods that Enhance Learner Engagement
Join Mike Pascoe, PhD, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Joe Palmer, DPT, PT, Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, for a workshop exploring teaching methods and practical strategies for enhancing learner engagement. Register to attend and learn more about AME Faculty Development Workshops.
11/12
Faculty FORUM: Managing Performance 101
Thursday, November 12, 12–1 p.m.
Anschutz Health Sciences Building and Zoom
Room 1203
The performance management cycle is approaching. Are you prepared? Join the Office of Faculty Affairs and the PATH Office for an interactive, case-based workshop on identifying meaningful performance metrics, conducting objective evaluations, and documenting performance effectively. Speakers include Abbey Lara, MD, Associate Dean for PATH; Cheryl Welch, MPA, Director of Faculty Affairs; and Deanna Schroder, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Associate Director of Human Resources. Register and save the dates for upcoming Faculty FORUM sessions.
11/19
CU MESA Abstract Review Workshop
Thursday, November 19, 11 a.m.–noon
Fitzsimons E1331
Preparing an abstract for an upcoming medical education conference? Join CU MESA (Medical Education Scholarship Accelerator) for small-group feedback from medical education research leaders. Faculty are welcome to attend even without an abstract to share ideas and learn from colleagues. Register for the Abstract Review Workshop.
11/20
Cancer Center Scientific Retreat
Friday, November 20, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Anschutz Health Sciences Building
Elliman Conference Center
Join the University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center for a day of scientific discovery, collaboration, and innovation. The retreat will highlight advances in cancer research and foster connections among investigators, trainees, clinicians, and research staff. Featured keynote speaker Razelle Kurzrock, MD, an internationally recognized leader in precision oncology and rare cancer research, will share her expertise. The Cancer Center Scientific Retreat is free, but registration is required.
Recent Publications
Risha Gidwani, DrPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, is co-author of an original investigation, “ Out-of-Pocket Costs for Chronic Illness Management in High-Deductible Health Plans,” published October 13 in JAMA Network Open.
John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA, Professor of Neurosurgery and Dean of the School of Medicine, is co-author of an article, "EGFR-targeted antibody—toxin conjugate in recurrent glioma: a phase 1 trial," published October 16 in Nature Medicine.
Jessica C. Cardenas, PhD, Associate Professor of Surgery, is co-author of an article, "The peritoneal thromboinflammatory environment is associated with epithelial glycocalyx loss during abdominal adhesions formation," published October 28 in Scientific Reports.
John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA, Professor of Neurosurgery and Dean of the School of Medicine, is co-author of an article, "EGFR-targeted antibody—toxin conjugate in recurrent glioma: a phase 1 trial," published October 16 in Nature Medicine.
Jessica C. Cardenas, PhD, Associate Professor of Surgery, is co-author of an article, "The peritoneal thromboinflammatory environment is associated with epithelial glycocalyx loss during abdominal adhesions formation," published October 28 in Scientific Reports.
Social Spotlight
As part of their Service Learning Program, a group of medical students worked as summer camp counselors at Roundup River Ranch. The rotation gave students the opportunity to partner with a local community organization and support a meaningful project that improves health and well-being across Colorado. View more photos on Instagram!
Follow CU Anschutz School of Medicine on Social Media
Have a good week,
John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA
Richard D. Krugman Endowed Chair
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
Dean, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
The Dean’s weekly message is an email news bulletin from John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA, Dean of the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, that is distributed to inform CU Anschutz School of Medicine faculty members, staff, students and others about issues pertaining to the school’s mission of education, research, clinical care and community service.
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